Cargo tie-down

ABSTRACT

A cargo carrier tie-down assembly that utilizes a fastener made up of a shackle element that includes a wall in a form that is closed in two dimensions, defining an opening and wherein the wall also defines a pair of opposed apertures, a pin that can be inserted through the two apertures and a knob fastener element, having a head, that is sized to be passed through the opening when the pin is withdrawn from the wall, and that is retained when the pin is inserted into the two apertures. A tension member has one of the fastener elements attached to at least one end. The other fastener element is attached to the cargo carrier.

BACKGROUND

Much cargo is transported without being placed into a completeenclosure. For example, a large piece of construction equipment istypically tied-down on a flat-bed truck and loose agricultural producemay be loaded into trailer that is open on top, but covered with a tarpthat is tied-down with cables that are hitched to the sides of thetruck, typically by means of a hook on the end of the cable fastened toa D-ring on the side-bottom of the truck.

There are a number of problems with this type of arrangement. First,there is the possibility that the hook will work its way loose from theD-ring. The occasional truck on the side of the road, spotted bytravelers, may have been waylaid by exactly this type of problem.

Although a carabineer on the end of a bungee has been sold and used totie down loads on pickup trucks, it appears that this type of closedattachment has not been adopted in the commercial trucking business,perhaps because a carabineer might get bent under the greater forcesencountered.

SUMMARY

The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described andillustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which aremeant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. Invarious embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems havebeen reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed toother improvements.

In a first separate aspect, the present invention may take the form of acargo carrier tie-down assembly that utilizes a fastener made up of ashackle element that includes a wall in a form that is closed in twodimensions, defining an opening and wherein the wall also defines a pairof opposed apertures, a pin that can be inserted through the twoapertures and a knob fastener element, having a head, that is sized tobe passed through the opening when the pin is withdrawn from the wall,and that is retained when the pin is inserted into the two apertures. Atension member has one of the fastener elements attached to at least oneend. The other fastener element is attached to the cargo carrier.

In a second separate aspect, the present invention may take the form ofa method of tying down cargo on a cargo carrier, which makes use of afastener that has a shackle fastener element that includes a wall in aform that is closed in two dimensions, defining an opening, and whereinthe wall also defines a pair of opposed apertures, a pin that can beinserted into the two apertures and a knob fastener element having headand a neck, the head being sized to be passed through the central areawhen the pin is withdrawn from the wall, and that is retained when thepin is inserted into the two apertures. One of the fastener elements isattached to a tension member and attaching the other fastener to thecargo carrier. The other fastener element is engaged to the tensionmember and to the fastener element on the cargo carrier and the pin isinserted into the shackle fastener element.

In a third separate aspect, the present invention may take the form of aheavy-duty fastener that has a shackle element, that includes a wall ofgreater than 1 cm thick material in a form that is closed in twodimensions, defining an opening that is greater than 3 cm across at it'snarrowest. The wall also defines a pair of opposed apertures, a pin thatcan be inserted through the two apertures and a knob element, having ahead and a neck, the head being sized to be passed through the openingwhen the pin is withdrawn from the wall, and that is retained when thepin is inserted into the two apertures.

In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above,further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to thedrawings and by study of the following detailed descriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced drawings. It isintended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to beconsidered illustrative rather than restrictive.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a fastener of the tie-down system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of the fastener of FIG. 1, in unfastenedstate.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a truck using the tie-down system of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of a cargo carrier tie-down system, according tothe present invention, makes use of a fastener 10, as best shown in FIG.2. Fastener 10 includes a first element 12 that includes a wall 14 inclosed form, defining an opening 16. Wall 14 also defines a pair ofaligned apertures 18, through which a pin 20 may be inserted, thuspartitioning opening 16 into two smaller openings. Pin 20 is preferablya locking pin with release button 21 and pair of locking bumps, thatlock into an outward position when button 21 is released. A “snap-lock”or spring pin, having a rod and a wire closure that is permanentlyattached at one end of the rod and securely engageable at the other endof the rod, could also be used for pin 20.

A pair of arms 22 extend outwardly from wall 14 and are bridged by aspring pin 24 (FIG. 3) that anchors a chain 26. The second element 30 isin the form of a knob having a head 32, a neck 34 and shoulders 36.

To use fastener 10, the head 32 is fit through opening 16, while the pin20 is disengaged. Pin 20 is then inserted into apertures 18, thustrapping element 30 by the neck 34, with the head 32 on one side ofopening 16 and shoulders 36 on the other, and the pin 20 blockingremoval of the head 32.

Referring to FIG. 3, a truck tie-down system uses the fasteners of FIGS.1 and 2, with knobs 30 (which may be trailer hitch knobs) attached tothe bottom-side of the truck trailer 38, shackle elements 14 attached toknobs 30, as shown, with chains 26 connecting shackle elements 14, totie down a load 40. In an alternative preferred embodiment, knobs 30 areattached to the chains 26 and engage with shackle elements 14, attachedto the bottom-side of truck trailer.

The advantages of this system should now be apparent. Shackle element 14has the strength of a permanently closed form, as opposed to a devicesuch as a carabineer that has an open construction and is only closed bya moveable piece. This cannot impart the same strength as a closed form.Nevertheless, even though shackle element 14 is always closed, it stillcan be locked and unlocked by means of pin 20, which effectively reducesthe size of opening 16, to retain head 32. It should also be noted thatthe only part that must be made is shackle element 14, with knobs 30being generally available as trailer hitches and pins 20 also being analready available commercial item.

Shackle elements 14 may be machined from a steel plate or drop forgedand then machined to create the apertures 18. In one preferredembodiment, shackle element 14 has been machined from a 2.54 (1 inch)thick steel plate. Shackle element 14 may be painted to preventcorrosion and to be readily visible to a user.

While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussedabove, those possessed of skill in the art will recognize certainmodifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. Itis therefore intended that the following appended claims and claimshereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications,permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their truespirit and scope.

1. A method of tying down cargo on a cargo carrier, comprising: (a)providing a fastener, including: (i) a shackle fastener element thatincludes a wall in a form that is closed in two dimensions, defining anopening, and wherein said wall also defines a pair of opposed apertures;(ii) a pin that can be inserted into said two apertures; (iii) a knobfastener element having head and a neck, said head being sized to bepassed through said opening when said pin is withdrawn from said wall,and that is retained when said pin is inserted into said pair ofapertures; (b) attaching one of said fastener elements to a tensionmember and attaching one of said fastener elements, that can be engagedto said fastener element attached to said tension member, to said cargocarrier; and (c) engaging said fastener element on said tension memberto said fastener element on said cargo carrier and inserting said pininto said shackle fastener element.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid cargo carrier is a cargo trailer of a truck.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein said tension member has a shackle element on ends thereof andsaid cargo carrier has at least one knob element on sides thereof. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein said shackle element wall is made ofsteel.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said opening is elliptical. 6.The method of claim 5, wherein said opening is circular.
 7. The methodof claim 1, wherein said tension member is a chain.